The first left-handed watch in the modern history of Patek Philippe is a perpetual calendar monopusher chrono rattrapante, inspired by a unique piece from the 1920s, made to order by a left-handed customer: a rattrapante chrono with a coussin case in yellow gold.
The Ref. 5373 designed for left-handers takes up the characteristics of the 5372 (which is out of the catalogue) but in an inverted form. The platinum case has the same diameter of 38.3 mm but, as a result of the 180° rotation of the movement, it moves the crown and pushpiece assembly for the split-seconds to the left and consequently also the calendar correctors. This leaves the wearer the choice of wearing it on the right, to be able to move the left hand with agility, or of attaching it equally to the left, to use the thumb to press the two chrono pushers, of which the one for operating the split-seconds is coaxial to the crown, and the one for starting, stopping and resetting at 8 o'clock: a perfect position for operating it, precisely, with the thumb of the right hand.
While the construction of a left-handed model does not present any particular mechanical difficulties, since by rotating the watch 180° the functionalities remain unchanged, the dial, on the other hand, has to be completely reworked to reverse the arrangement of the indications. This work is more complex in a complicated watch like the one from Patek Philippe, which offers numerous displays. The combination of colours gives it a contemporary and sporty style: anthracite background with vertical satin finish fading to black at the edges, with black counters and red chrono hands (strangely, the two central ones are not differentiated).
The movement is the manual CHR 27-525 PS Q calibre with a total thickness of only 7.3 mm. Also underlining the sporty style is the black calfskin strap with embossed textile motif and contrasting red stitching.
A watch like this is a real treat for collectors, whether or not they are left-handed. In addition to the novelty of being a 'right-handed' watch, it introduces into the catalogue a sportier and more contemporary version of what is a must-have piece in the Patek assortment.
Price566,389 euro.
